Romney's rally is a pantomime from the heart

Simon Mann

THE designers of the Emma Lou Olson Civic Centre at Pompano Beach had not reckoned on a political rally starring the man who would be president.

''It's the first I can recall,'' admitted an attendant in the foyer marvelling at the crowd.

And by the time Mitt Romney scurried forward with his familiar hurried gait - late, and following a warm-up act of 1970s disco hits and hardy patriotic rock - close to 1000 people drawn from the predominantly white, middle-class Florida neighbourhood had squeezed into the centre's modest space.

What they got bordered on pantomime as Mr Romney, closing in on victory over main rival Newt Gingrich in this week's primary, replayed familiar lines from debates and stump speeches across four states.

And the mostly supportive crowd played their role in tones that variously echoed empathy, enthusiasm, even melodrama.

Mr Romney coddled his wife Ann: they cooed.

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He introduced the couple's youngest of five sons, Craig, whose white smile could sit on a toothpaste pack: they clapped.

''They really are a beautiful family,'' ventured a middle-aged woman in the crowd: others nodded agreement.

And if they were in any doubt about her husband's bona fides, Ann Romney added her testimony: ''I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and breast cancer and it's so wonderful to know this guy has just been so supportive and so helpful to me during my struggle.'' They whistled and cheered.

He's also Mr Fixit. ''Every time people run into trouble who do they turn to to pitch? Anything that's going wrong, whether its business or government or the Olympics, they turn to this guy to fix it. And I think America needs to turn around, and see what he can do to fix this country.'' They cheered and stomped.

This was get-to-know the Romneys ahead of Tuesday's primary (tomorrow Melbourne time) and it just got more syrupy as the event proceeded. ''I fell in love with this country as a little boy,'' the 64-year-old frontrunner said. ''Then over my lifetime I have fallen in love with the people of America.'' More cheers.

And as he began to recite the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence they joined in. They chimed in again when he recited America the Beautiful.

He felt their pain, too. Calling for a show of hands of those people who had been touched by Florida's property debacle, a predictable number went up. ''Wow!'' he said, apparently surprised. ''Look at that!''

''You have to realise,'' said Steve, a local physician, as he shuffled out, ''the average American only has a seventh grade education.''

Outside, vendors were plying campaign paraphernalia. Sasha Reul had tailed the Republicans through South Carolina and Florida, flogging T-shirts, hats and bumper stickers.

She scores well at Romney and Gingrich rallies, although she likes Rick Santorum.But in 2008 she didn't vote. ''I didn't want Obama,'' she said. ''I actually wanted to vote for [John] McCain but I couldn't vote for Sarah Palin [his running mate]. You might say I faced a moral dilemma.''